OUAHIGOUYA — Former international football player Saïdou Mady Panandétiguiri has declared his candidacy for the presidency of the Northern Football League (LNF), with the election scheduled for July 24. Panandétiguiri, a notable figure in Burkinabè football, aims to elevate the sport’s status and infrastructure in the Northern region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, his decision to run stems from his deep involvement in regional football, particularly through his club, the Association Football Panandétiguiri (AFP). “I created this club to bring my experience to youth and football in the Northern region,” Panandétiguiri told Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB). He emphasized the need to provide competitive opportunities for the area’s young players, leveraging his extensive background in professional football.

If elected, Panandétiguiri outlined a comprehensive plan to revitalize football in the region, focusing on fundamental training, infrastructure development, coaching, and promoting women’s football. He also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen local teams, particularly the Union Sportive du Yatenga (USY) and other second-division teams like AS Téma-Bokin and AS Eco.

Panandétiguiri’s strategic vision includes elevating at least two regional clubs to the first division (D1) within his four-year term, aiming to enhance the Northern region’s representation and influence within the Burkinabè Football Federation. “Today, we do not have anyone who can raise their voice in the meetings of the Federation, simply because we do not have teams in the first division,” he explained, underscoring the strategic importance of this elevation not just for the sport but for regional empowerment.

This ambitious plan is part of a broader goal to foster a thriving football culture in the Northern region, ensuring that the area gains recognition and success on the national sports stage.